Murray questioning his future following another body blow

ANDY MURRAY is awaiting tests on his latest ‘demoralising’ injury, admitting it may be a sign his body can no longer cope with the demands of elite tennis.

The former world No.1 was set to play in the Miami Open this week but pulled out on the eve of the event with pain in his left groin.

Murray revealed the problem had left him unable to practise and is baffled as to why it happened.

The 33-year-old said: ‘I woke up in the middle of the night, rolled over and felt like my groin was a bit sore. When I got up, I was in a lot of pain walking. Any time I extended my left hip, it was a struggle to put weight on it.

‘I have no idea what happened. I’ll get some scans and stuff done when I get home. But I feel all right just now.’

This is the latest setback for Murray since he had a hip resurfacing operation in January 2019, returning to action that summer.

The Scot was feeling very positive about the new season only for a bout of coronavirus to force him to miss the Australian Open. Murray instead began his year at a second-tier Challenger in Italy before winning his first ATP match for six months in Rotterdam. In all, he has played just 16 matches since winning his 46th title in Antwerp in October 2019 and admitted the latest setback was hard to take.

‘It is obviously very frustrating and a bit demoralising. It’s gutting,’ he said. Asked whether it was a sign his body simply is not up to it any more, he said: ‘I guess it’s possible that is the case.

‘I really need to get a run of tournaments and competitive matches to see whether my body is capable of doing it or not, because right now I still really haven’t had that opportunity.

‘All of the indications with my practising and training and stuff suggests I’m fine, but then I keep getting these things. I don’t know how deep to look into this one.

‘I guess if it keeps me out for a long time, I would probably think that way. But if it’s only a few days and just the timing of it has meant I missed the tournament, then that is just bad luck.

‘I really just want to be on the court competing,’ said Murray (pictured).

‘I can’t be bothered doing another eight or ten weeks of rehab. The reason I am doing all of that stuff is to get back on the court and compete.

‘It’s hard work and I am finding it harder to get motivated to do the rehab and everything if I’m not going to be able to compete in the biggest events.

‘That is why this one was like, f***ing hell, just give me a break for this one event so that I can compete against these guys at a big tournament and see what I am still able to do.’